Vikings QB Christian Ponder was limited in practice but should be ready for the Packers. (US Presswire) |
QB Christian Ponder was limited at Vikings practice Thursday with tightness in his bruised elbow, but coach Leslie Frazier said he would be ready to play Saturday.
“Christian -- we limited some of the things we did with him,” Frazier said. “We didn’t ask him to do a whole lot. Just let that elbow calm down a little bit.”
Ponder hit his elbow on a helmet when throwing a pass against the Packers on Sunday. He was limited in practice Wednesday and Thursday.
“A little bit tight for him,” Frazier said about the elbow. “It’s got to loosen up a little bit. [The training staff is] still doing some things with him. See how he feels [Friday]. He’s going to do everything he can to be ready for this ball game.”
Frazier said that Ponder increased his activity from Wednesday to Thursday.
“I think he’ll be alright,” Frazier said. “He’s going to do everything he can to make sure he’s ready to go. He’s doing a lot more stuff mentally than physical right now, but he should be fine. We’ll have to see how he does [Friday], as well.”
RB Adrian Peterson returned to practice after being rested. He was listed as limited, but Frazier said he moved around well.
LB Tyrone McKenzie was in a sling Thursday and will likely be out for the game. “Tyrone did not participate,” said Frazier. “[I] don’t expect him to play in this ball game.”
S Harrison Smith (knee) practiced again Thursday and was listed as limited. But Smith said in the locker room that the injury was “nothing major and would not hold him back. Smith and DE Brian Robison were limited in practice.
DE Jared Allen (shoulder), CB A.J. Jefferson (ankle) DE George Johnson (quadriceps), P Chris Kluwe (left knee) and T Phil Loadholt (knee) all participated fully Wednesday.
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